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The Fear of Success?- Your Breakthrough Guide

Dear Reader,

Have you ever experienced or felt the ‘fear of success‘?

I was very recently coaching an Entrepreneur at one of my seminars (lets call him Joe) on his business and personal ambitions/vision and during the coaching, we began to uncover some limiting beliefs and obstacles that were holding him back.

As we did, Joe said something very interesting. He said that the very thing that is blocking him from reaching his potential is the ‘fear of success‘.

I’ve heard and seen people talk about this fear many times and more frequently associated with high performers but on this occasion, it really got me thinking deeper about the fear.

So, coming back on to my earlier question, have you ever come across, experienced or felt the ‘fear of success‘ (TFOS)?

Through my coaching practice I’ve worked with a number of high achievers/performers to breakthrough TFOS but I believe the reason people struggle with the fear and as a result block themselves from achieving their goals, is all down to how they mentally view the situation.

Let me put it this way, regardless of who you are and what you are creating whether you’re a CEO, Entrepreneur or director…. I believe that no one fears success in itself.

Success on your terms is one of the biggest factors and forces that drives you to do what you do today.

Why wouldn’t you or anyone want more success? More family time, wealth, freedom, a promotion or greater contribution etc.

So where does the ‘fear of success’ come from?

The fear of success is created by what we believe the negative consequences will be if we become successful & the negative aspects of what success will give us.

For example, I’ve coached senior leaders who believe that with more success comes more money and a promotion, but…

The meaning they attach to success: this then means less time with the family & loved ones.

I’ve coached Entrepreneurs who want to scale their business and make a bigger impact and if they do….

The meaning they attach to success: they are concerned as to whether they can handle and sustain growth with the right systems.

I have also worked with a number of leaders on the relationships they want but don’t have and if they were to create the relationships they seek,

The meaning they attach to success: a part of them wonders if it will shake up their world too much or what if they were to slip up and fail in the relationship.

It never is about fearing success but more over…what we make success mean in our minds, both positive and negative.

So what do you make success mean? What does success give you?

If there is anything negative that you make success mean, the next step is fear management. Isolating the fear and asking the right questions around the success you desire to find your solution.

Focus is truly power and whatever we focus on expands. Focus on solutions and you become more resourceful, focus on fear and you will only feed it and as a result, make the fear more greater and overwhelming.

As mentioned above, questions direct our thinking and as Tony Robbins says, ‘the quality of our questions determine the quality of out life‘

Ask yourself some resourceful questions through any fear to redirect your focus on to what will serve you most. Questions such as:

Is the fear even real…is there even a slim likelihood that this fear will crop up?

How can I create the results I want without Fear X showing up? What would need to happen for me to achieve my goals without Fear X

What are the tools I need?

What resources are required to do this?

Who do I need to become and what decisions will need to be made?

How will I best manage and maximise my time?

What support, mentors, role models and coaches can I turn to for guidance?

Who has achieved this result before/is doing what I want to do & how can I learn from them

What is in my control?

etc

In summary, the key to overcoming the Fear Of Success, is to slow down, ask yourself what are you making success mean and to then isolate the fear and create a system in your business/life to ensure that you can overcome any of the warning signs and obstacles that you feel might crop up.

If it’s a lack of time with your loved ones, then build a time management system. If it’s a negative impact you see on your health, what systems or plan do you need to put in place?

Etc

Other times, the fear itself…is the pure definition of a fear….an emotion/protective mechanism that we can if we allow ourselves to……let go of over time.

What will do you do and how will you combat any fear of success that shows up in your world. Comment below.

I would love to hear what you personally took and will implement after reading this article! Comment below and i’ll respond to you as soon as I can.

Here’s to your continued success & if there is anything I can do to serve or support yourself and/or your business or if you have any questions about my latest article then please feel free to reach out to me here or at raghav@raghavparkash.com.